Putting Yourself In A “Debt Reduction” Mode

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Just as there are many different kinds of debt, so too are there many different varieties of debtors. Many people who carry debt can trace that back to a boatload of consumer credit card purchases, and after some time, they don’t even remember what they purchased to cause the debt. Perpetuating the cycle of getting into debt and repaying then getting into deeper debt, is unfortunately normal for many; it was for me. But the moment that I decided to get out of debt, having a full on debt reduction frame of mind made a world of difference.

But, for other people, debt builds for a period and then stops increasing. This period is usually that of early adulthood, a time when incomes are low, education costs are high, and new family obligations suddenly appear. It is a time when homes are bought and money is spent – but careers are not advanced enough to handle the cash outflow.

People who fall into this latter group are often responsible spenders who will never again incur debt in their lives. As soon as they get their degree, buy a home, and start a family, their debt burden will only decrease over time. At this point they have passed the hump and are ready to enter the “debt-reduction” mode.

I entered that mode just recently, in the past couple years. When I was going through my bank statements one day, I suddenly realized that I had no new debt in my future and that I could focus on simply reducing what I already have. I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. After years of accepting debt as a fact of life, I knew that this financial burden would someday go away.

But it was difficult to get myself into that debt-reduction mode. I squandered money that should have gone towards debt payments. I stopped making every effort to accelerate my loan reduction. After years of having to pay off debt as a means of staying afloat, I now could manage with the debt I had. After years of keeping a short-term perspective on my financial health, I now grew overwhelmed with all the payments that lay in my future.

I had arrived on the cusp of the debt-reduction phase. But I wasn’t handling it very well.

Here’s what I did to try to rectify that:

Impose a debt and spending moratorium.
I first needed to convince myself that I had truly finished incurring debt and that my regular spending was low enough to afford considerable debt payments. This I accomplished by imposing a moratorium on minor debt and spending that lasted for a few months. I followed an incredibly stingy budget, I used a prepaid Green Dot credit card so as to not amass even $200 worth of debt, and I put large sums of money aside to pay off my loans. After this period ended, I found that my debt was far more under control – and that I had the faith that I could someday be debt-free.

Create other long-term goals.
Debt reduction is a long-term process and, as such, requires a long-term attitude when it comes to motivation and goals. One of the best ways to instill this attitude is by creating long-term motivations in non-financial realms of life. For some people, for example, the birth of a child gives them the perspective needed to start cutting away at their debt. For me, the decision to start running again and training for races gave me a reminder about the importance of patience, consistency, and sacrifice.

Make a plan.
You can never go wrong by having a plan – or by making a new one. Although I had already written a template for debt reduction, I needed to update my agenda in light of my new debt situation. I decided which obligations to pay off faster, how much more of my income should be set aside towards payments, and I reevaluated the time frame in which I want to become debt-free. The new plan gave me a direction and a sense of purpose going forward.

These are the main steps I followed as I tried to ease myself into my debt-reduction phase. While eliminating your debt after years of incurring it may seem like a victory lap for some, it does require a change in attitude and perspective that can be helpful to think out beforehand.

I believe planning and goals are key to any debt reduction. When I was younger and I had to pay back some education costs I had to set goals and plan to get rid of it. My attitude had to change towards money. I wasn’t used to debt as mum and dad paid for living expenses at home until I bought my first flat.

The reason I was able to buy so young was by planning and setting goals or like you mention getting into the ‘debt reduction’ mode to pay off the student loan. That set the platform for bigger goals. Once I realized how easy it was to live a frugal life and pay off debt, I decided to buy my first place at 20.

This ‘debt reduction mode’ you speak of is a mode that once you get hooked you’re in it for life. It reminds me of something I read in ‘The Millionaire Next Door’. The wealthy auctioneer continued to live a frugal life because she witnessed a lady crying on her front lawn as people walked off with her possessions. The auctioneer I feel was psychologically jolted into a ‘frugal lifestyle mode’. By doing this she was able to take responsibility for her financial actions to eliminate ever being in the lady on the front lawns position.

Perhaps it’s just a mindset.. being mindful and dedicated to the future long term goal.

I am currently on the cusp of reaching my debt reduction mode. I don’t feel I am quite there yet because I still plan on buying a house within the next year…so my debt will then be increased. However, to prepare for my house buying adventure I have implemented a current debt reduction plan. Having this plan to eliminate a good chunk of my current debt and having something to work towards (buying a house) really makes it easier for me to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I know my sacrifices are bringing me one step closer to my ultimate goals!

I’m always amazed at how much finances isn’t just about numbers. I know this is not an original thought, but it’s so much about psychology and such. I’m a huge fan of setting a plan and especially using small rewards to motivate yourself.

Being in the right mindset and ready to take on the challenge with hope and motivation is absolutely essential to paying down debt successfully. Making a plan and tracking your performance is very essential in staying motivated. This way, you can see the results of your sacrifices, small and large, and use it to propel yourself forward. That’s what we attempt to do with ReadyForZero.com. I hope you’ll check it out and let me know what you think of it! Wish you all the best with your debt paydown, Amanda.

I found that getting everything down in writing was extremely important. Most important was getting the monthly budget in writing AND tracking spending throughout the month compared to that budget. The more I do that, the more I am able to stay on my monthly spending plan.

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The information contained in YesIAmCheap.com is for general information or entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional financial advice. Please contact an independent financial professional for advice regarding your specific situation.